Main purpose of job:

The UK Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, operating through the British High Commission network in India, is looking to fill a vacancy within the trade team at the British Deputy High Commission Mumbai. The Department works to drive economic growth by supporting UK businesses to trade internationally, attract investment and strengthen the UK’s global trading relationships.

This is an exciting time to join the UK Government’s trade team in India. The UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) marks a significant new chapter in this relationship, creating further opportunities for UK businesses to access and grow in one of the world’s most dynamic markets. Against this backdrop, the job holder will play an key role in supporting UK Food & Drink companies to identify, develop and secure commercial opportunities in India, with a particular focus on helping businesses take advantage of opportunities created by the FTA.

Food & Drink Trade

Food & Drink is the UK’s largest manufacturing sector and an important part of the UK-India trading relationship. India’s growing consumer market, changing consumption patterns and the opportunities created through the FTA provide significant potential for UK companies.

The role will broadly work across three pillars: Commercial Opportunities, Market Development and Market Access.

The job holder will develop an in-depth understanding of the UK and India Food & Drink sectors and use this knowledge to identify opportunities and build a strong pipeline for UK businesses. They will work directly with UK companies, particularly SMEs, supporting them to understand the India market, identify potential partners, navigate routes to market and progress commercial opportunities.

The job holder will build relationships across the India Food & Drink industry, including with importers, distributors, retailers, buyers, trade associations and other key stakeholders.



They will work closely with colleagues across the Department in India and the UK to support UK companies in entering and expanding within the India market and contribute towards wider UK Government commercial and trade objectives.

The role will also support the Senior Sector Manager with sector strategy, market intelligence, stakeholder engagement, reporting and wider delivery of Food & Drink priorities across India.

We reserve the right to review, revise or amend the roles and responsibilities from time to time reflecting the changing needs of business.

Roles and responsibilities / what will the jobholder be expected to achieve:

Commercial Opportunities and UK Business Support (25%)

- Identify, develop and maintain a strong pipeline of commercial opportunities for UK Food & Drink companies in India.
- Promote the opportunities arising from the UK-India FTA to UK Food & Drink businesses and stakeholders.
- Provide practical market-entry support to UK exporters, including SMEs, helping them understand the India market, identify potential partners and navigate routes to market.
- Proactively engage UK companies with strong potential for India and support them in progressing opportunities towards commercial outcomes.
- Work with importers, distributors, retailers, hospitality groups and other buyers to identify demand for UK products.
- Record and report export successes, commercial outcomes and progress against agreed trade targets.

UK-India FTA Opportunities (10%)

- Support businesses in understanding relevant FTA benefits and connect them to appropriate government expertise where specialist advice is required.
- Gather business intelligence and feedback on how the FTA is affecting UK companies operating in or seeking to enter India.

Market Development (10%)

- Develop strong knowledge of India's Food & Drink market, including consumer trends, distribution channels, emerging opportunities and competitive dynamics.




- Build and maintain relationships with key buyers, importers, distributors, retailers, trade associations and industry stakeholders.
- Identify new opportunities through market research, stakeholder engagement and commercial intelligence.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of the UK Government’s Food & Drink sector strategy for India.

Trade Promotion and Events (30%)

- Develop and deliver commercially focused activities including trade missions, buyer-seller engagements, webinars, roundtables, retail promotions and sector events.
- Support Ministerial, senior official and VIP visits involving Food & Drink and wider trade priorities.
- Develop programmes and secure high-quality business participation for visits and events.
- Ensure activities have clearly defined commercial objectives and effective follow-up to maximise business outcomes.

Market Access (10%)

- Identify market-access issues affecting UK Food & Drink exporters through engagement with businesses and industry stakeholders.
- Work with relevant UK Government colleagues and sector specialists to help address barriers affecting UK businesses.
- Monitor regulatory and market developments and communicate relevant changes and opportunities to colleagues and businesses.

Stakeholder Management and Collaboration (10%)

- Build effective relationships across the British High Commission network, UK Government, India Government, industry associations and the private sector.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues across India and the UK to deliver Food & Drink priorities.
- Represent the British Deputy High Commission and the Department professionally at external meetings, events and industry engagements.

British Deputy High Commission Mumbai activities (5%)

- The candidate will be expected to support major diplomatic events with securing sponsorships and participation from businesses.
- The candidate will also be supporting cross-cutting activities to support the working of the diplomatic mission (i.e. the corporate/post contribution).

Last day to apply for the role is 22 Nov'2026 by 12 PM IST.

📌 Senior Trade Advisor – Food & Drinks (Mumbai)
🏢 British High Commission in India
📍 Mumbai